Lighting fixture



Sept. 12, 1939. E. M. SORENG 2,172,523

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Aug. 28, 1937 I5 Sheets-Sheet 1 P 2, 1939. E. M. SORENG 2,172,523

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Aug. 28, 1937 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 7' v wbm i/z/ Edgar M. Surfing Sept. 12, 1939. M, SQRENG 2,172,523

LIGHTING FIXTURE Filed Rug. 28, 1937 S Sheets-Sheet 3 gs qwjww 02/;

EdggT-MEUFEH @223 Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES LIGHTING FKTUBE Edgar M. Soreng, Chicago, 111., asignor to Soreng- Manegold Company, Chicago, 111., a corporation Illinois Application August 28,

6 Claim.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements in lighting fixtures and refers particularly to lighting fixturesfor illuminating the interior of refrigerator cabinets and the like.

Generally the opening of the refrigerator door turns on the light of the fixture and the closing thereof turns it off. Heretofore, the switch controlling the light and the fixture per so were separate and independent units. This necessitated wiring the interior of the cabinet, entailing added expense, and causing an objectionable unsightliness, out of keeping with the appearance of the interior, unless the wiring was concealed.

It is therefore an object of this invention to combine a lighting fixture and switch into a compact and neat unitary structure of such design and appearance that it blends in with the construction and aesthetic appeal of the modern refrigerator.

With a view toward simplicity of design, this invention contemplates as another object, a light ing fixture of the character described wherein one of two complementary parts forms a reflector or shade as well as a portion of a switch housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide a combined lighting fixture and switch in which the component parts of the switch are secured in proper assembled relationship upon the assembly of the two main complementary parts of the fixture, one of which provides both a reflector or shade and a portion of the switch housing.

Another object of this invention is to provide simple means for quickly and easily mounting and properly locating the fixture in a refrigerator cabinet with its switch actuator engageable by the door and its refiector or shade positioned so as to eflect indirect but complete illumination of the entire cabinet interior.

With the above and other objects in view which will appear as the description proceeds, this invention resides in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts substantially as hereinafter described and more particularly defined by the appended claims, it being understood that such changes in the precise embodiment of the hereindisclosed invention may be made as come within the scope of the claims.

The accompanying drawings illustrate several complete examples of the physical embodiment of the invention constructed according to the best mode so far devised for the practical application of the principles thereof, and in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a combined lighting fixture and switch constructed in accordance with this invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the fixture body per se showing how the various contacts are mounted thereon;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the push button actuator for opening and closing the switch 1937, Serial No. 161,416

the fixture which provides the combination shade or reflector and switch housing;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the fixture with parts broken away and in section to show the switch mechanism in its "on position;

Figure 6 is a view similar to Figure 5 but showing the switch mechanism in its oil position;

Figure 'I is a cross section view through Figure 5 on the plane of the line 1-4;

Figure 8 is a perspective view illustrating the fixture in use;

Figure 9 is a section view through a modified embodiment of this invention;

Figure 10 is a section view similar to Figure 9 showing another modification of this invention;

Figure 11 is a cross section view through Figure 9 on the plane of the line H-l I; and

Figure 12 is an end view of the fixture in Figure 10 taken on the plane of the line |2l2.

Referring now particularly to the accompanying drawings in which like numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the numerals l and 5 indicate the two main complementary parts of the fixture, respectively, a body which has a conventional socket in one end to receive an electric light bulb B, and a combined reflector and switch housing forming member. which co-acts with the other end of the body to form a switch housing I and also provides a refiector or shade 8. Bothof these parts are formed of insulating material.

The body 4 is generally cylindrical in shape and medially of its ends has a transverse wall 9 which forms the bottom of the lamp socketand one wall of the switch housing I. The remaining walls of the switch housing are provided by a substantially semi-cylindrical wall ID of the body and portions of the combined reflector and housing forming part 5.

The part 5 has a substantially fiared outer end II which forms the refiector to direct the light from the bulb i as desired, a smaller substantially semi-cylindrical portion I! which forms a complement to the body portion l0, and a circular end wall I! of substantially the same diameter as the body, to fit over and close the front end of the housing 1.

At opposite sides of the curved body wall ID are two holes llwhich,when the complementary parts I and 5 are properly assembled, align with tapped holes ii in the portion I! of the part 5. Screws It passed through the holes II and threaded into the holes l5 hold the parts 4 and 5 properly assembled, there being enlargements l I on the body wall I 0 adjacent the holes I to preclude accidental breaking when the screws are tightened.

As a further assurance against breakage of the body part 4, the heads of the screws l1 are cushioned by rubber washers l8.

Mounted on the wall 9 and projecting into the switch housing 1 is a post I 9 held in place by a screw 20 tapped into its enlarged base. The screw 20 projects through the base of the metal shell 2! of the lamp socket and through a hole in the dividing wall 9 so as to electrically connect the shell 20 with the post 19.

Clamped between the wall 9 and the base of the post [9 is the laterally bent end or base of a spring contact finger 22. In this manner the contact finger which forms one contact of the switch is rigidly mounted and electrically connected with the shell of the socket. A depression 23 in the wall 9, together with an oil'set portion 24 on the base of the contact restrain the contact against rotation about the axis of the post.

Substantially on the opposite side of the post l9 from the contact 22 is another spring contact 25. This contact is secured to the wall 9 by having its base clamped between the wall and the base of a prong 26 which is fixed to the wall and extends out toward a hole 21 in the wall portion i 0 of the body.

Another similar prong 28 is fixed to the wall 9 to extend alongside the prong 26 toward the hole 21. This prong is electrically connected with the center terminal 30 of the lamp socket through a rivet 3i by which the prong and the center terminal are fixed to the wall 9.

The prongs 2B and 28 are adapted for insertion into a plug 33 which fits in the hole 21 and through a cord 34 attached thereto connects the fixture with a source of electrical energy.

The prongs as well as the contacts are, of course, insulated from each other, but upon electrically bridging the contacts the circuit is es tablished to light the lamp. This is done at the dictation of a plunger or push button 35. This push button consists of an elongated stem 36 of insulating material with an axial bore 31 in its inner end to accommodate a cup shaped contactor 38, having a flange portion 39 at its outer end, A coil spring 40 is received in the well of the cup shaped contactor andfits over the post H to yieldingly project the push button outwardly through an opening 4| in the wall l3 of the member 5. A shoulder 42 on the inner end of the push button stem limits the outward projection of the push button by its spring. In its outermost position the metal fiange 39 contacts with the outer portions of the spring contacts 22 and 25 and electrically bridges the same so that the circuit is closed. Upon depression of the push button the flange 39 is disengaged from the contacts and the circuit opened.

It is to be observed that the push button is automatically secured in proper assembled relationship to the remainder of the structure by merely fastening the screws l5 which hold the two main complementary parts 4 and 5 together.

To mount the fixture in a refrigerator cabinet a bracket 45 is provided. The bracket which is stamped from sheet metal has two right angularly disposed parts 45 and 41. An inwardly directed reinforcing flange extends continuously along the marginal edges of the bracket from one corner of its part 41 around the rounded end of the part 46 to the opposite corner of the part 41. Not only does this flange aiford strength but it also enhances the appearance of the structure as it embraces the end of the fixture whichis secured to the part 45 by screws 48.

The other bracket part 41 has hole 9 r t e reception of fastening means by which the bracket is secured to one wall of the refrigerator cabinet. At the corner of the bracket the part 41 has an offset 50 which fits over a bead 5| formed in the forward portion of the wall to which the bracket is secured so as to properly locate the bracket in the cabinet. The bead 5| is so positioned with respect to the open front of the cabinet that when the oiIset 50 engages the same the fixture is held in position to have the door 52 engage the push button upon closure.

The holes in the bracket part 46 through which the screws 48 and the push button pass and the tapped holes 53 in the circular end wall 13 of the fixture are so related that the mean line of reflection of the reflector is at an upward forty-five degree angle. Hence, when the fixture is mounted in the upper right hand corner of the cabinet as shown in Figure 8, the light rays are directed up into this corner of the cabinet to be refracted by the white interior so that the entire interior is illuminated by indirect lighting,

In operation as the door 52 is closed, it depresses the push button to the position shown in Figure 6 thereby moving the flange 39 out of engagement with the contacts and opening the switch. When the door is opened the spring 40 urges the push button outwardly to its position defined by the shoulder 42 engaging the inner face of the wall l3, bringing the flange 39 into contact making position.

Figures 9, 10, 11, and 12 illustrate modifications of this invention, wherein the switch mechanism is as previously described, but the specific construction of the housing is diiferent. In the modification illustrated in Figures 9 and 11, the two main complementary parts of the fixture, indicated by the numerals 4 and 5 in Figures 1 to 8 are combined to form a single housing and reflector member 54. This member 54 is of substantially the same general construction as the previously described housing and forms a body 55 having a socket in one end, the wall of which is extended throughout approximately one half of its circumference to form the reflector 55 for the bulb.

The body 55 is of generally cylindrical shape and medially of its ends has a transverse wall 9' which forms the bottom of the lamp socket and one wall of the switch housing 1'. The switch housing 1' is substantially cup shaped with its open end closed by a circular end wall 51, having an opening 4| through which the push button of the switch mechanism projects.

When the fixture is properly assembled, screws 48' secure the end wall 51 against removal, and also mount a bracket 45 similar to the previously described mounting bracket 45.

An opening 21' in the cylindrical wall of the switch housing provides access to prongs 26' and 28' which are adapted to be received by a plug, (not shown) similar to the plug 33.

In the modification illustrated in Figures 10 and 12, the two main complementary sections are also combined to form a single housing and reflector unit 58.

In this modification the removable end wall 51 of the modification shown in Figures 9 and 11 is an integral part of the housing as at 59, and a circular wall 60, on which all the stationary contacts are mounted, supplants the wall 9,

The circular wall abuts a shoulder 6| formed on the interior of the body and is held in position by screws 62, preferably of the drive screw" variety.

Again, an opening 21" provides access to the contact prongs, and screws 48" secure a mounting bracket 45" to the front wall 59.

From the foregoing description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention appertains, that this invention provides an exceptionally compact and simple lighting fixture and switch therefor which is particularly well adapted for use in household refrigerators and that by reason of its simple construction lends itself readily to economical manufacture.

What I claim as myjrgvention is:

1. In a lighting fixture for illuminating the interior of refrigerator cabinets and the like, a body having a socket to receive an electric lamp, a reflector to direct the light rays of a lamp in the socket, means permanently securing the reflector to the body, and a mounting bracket having right angularly disposed parts, one of which is adapted for attachment to an inside wall of the refrigerator, and means for securing the other bracket part to the fixture in a definite fixed relationship at which the reflector directs the light rays at an angle of substantially 45.to the plane of the attaching portion of the bracket and toward the bracket so that upon attachment of the bracket to a side wall of the refrigerator interior, near the top, the light rays are directed up into the adjacent upper comer of the refrigerator to be refracted by the inner walls of the refrigerator.

2. In a lighting fixture for illuminating the interior of refrigerator cabinets having a door to be opened and closed, a body provided with a lamp socket at one end to receive an electric lamp, a reflector fixed to the body to direct the light rays from a lamp in a definite direction, said reflector having a part co-acting with a part of the body to define a switch housing, switch mechanism in said housing for controlling a lamp in the socket, a push button actuator for the switch mechanism, a mounting bracket to mount the fixture in the refrigerator in such a manner that its push button actuator is engageable by the door to be depressed upon closure of the door, said mounting bracket having two right angularly disposed parts, one of which is attachable to an inner wall of the refrigerator cabinet, means for securing the fixture to the other part of the bracket in such a position that the reflector directs the light rays at an angle of substantially 45 with respect to the plane of the attaching portion of the bracket and toward said plane, so that attachment of the bracket to a side wall of the refrigerator near the top thereof automatically positions the fixture so that the light rays emanating therefrom are directed up into the adjacent upper corner to be reflected by the adjacent walls of the refrigerator, and means on said bracket engageable with an abutment on the side wall of the refrigerator for automatically locating the bracket on the wall in a proper position for the push button actuator to be properly engageable by the door.

8. In a lighting fixture of the character described, a combined lamp socket and switch housing comprising a structure of insulating material having substantially cylindrical walls and spaced transverse walls cooperating with the cylindrical walls to form a switch housing, a lamp socket on the outer face of one transverse wall, switch mechanism within the housing including a contactor and an actuator mounting the contactor slidably projected through the other transverse wall. n 01 d ve e a n al with at least part of the cylindrical walls, the other transverse wall being movable to enable assembly of the switch mechanism in the housing, and a reflector integral with part of the cylindrical wall and extending along side and past the lamp socket to partially cover the electric light bulb therein.

4. A fighting fixture of the character described comprising a body of insulating material having 5. In a lighting fixture of the character described, a body of insulating material having a lamp socket at one end and having a medial transverse wall with another wall projecting perpendicularly therefrom and extending about a portion of the periphery of the transverse wall to co-act with the transverse wall in partially forming the outside wall of a switch housing, another member of insulating material having an end wall and a side wall, the side wall being complementary to the wall of the body which extends perpendicularly from its transverse wall to complete the outside wall and form a switch housing; a switch mechanism mounted on said transverse wall including spaced apart contacts; a post on said transverse wall of the body extending toward the end wall of said other member, and switch actuating means slidably mounted on said post and projecting through a hole in the end wall of said member, said actuating means including a contactor for electrically bridging the stationary contacts.

6. In a lighting fixture of the character described, a body of insulating material having a lamp socket at one end and having a medial transverse wall with another wall projecting perpendicularly therefrom and extending about a portion of the periphery of the transverse wall to co-act with the transverse wall in partially forming the outside wall of a switch housing, another member of insulating material having an end wall and a side wall, the side wall being complementary. to the wall of the body which extends perpendicularly from its transverse wall to complete the outside wall and form a switch housing; a switch mechanism mounted on said transverse wall including spaced apart contacts; a post on said transverse wall of the body extending toward the end wall of said other member; switch actuating means slidably mounted on. said post and projecting through a hole in the end wall of said member, said actuating means including a contactor for electrically bridging the stationary contacts; spring means for yieldably urging the contactor and its actuator outwardly to a switch closing position from which the contactor is movable to a switch opening position by depression of the actuator; and means on the actuator engageable with the end wall of said member for limiting outward projection of said actuating means.

EDGAR M. SOB-ENG. 

